Spathiphyllum plant named ‘CORSPAVAR2’

ABSTRACT

‘CORSPAVAR2’ is a new and distinctive  Spathiphyllum  plant which is characterized by a compact growth habit, an abundance of narrow-elliptic foliage with moderately undulated leaf margins, dark green and glossy foliage that is irregularly flecked with light greyed-green in an irregularly pinnate pattern, white spathes which become progressively suffused with yellow-green as they age which creates a variegation pattern similar to that of the foliage, and the stability of all characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Spathiphyllum sp.Schott.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Spathiphyllum disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘CORSPAVAR2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘CORSPAVAR2’ is a seedling selection which resulted from thecontrolled pollination of Spathiphyllum sp. ‘Domino’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 9,944), and the pollen parent, Spathiphyllum sp. ‘Alfa CD’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 10,823). Said cross was performed by the inventor at acommercial greenhouse in Melsen-Merelbeke, Belgium in the year 2000.After approximately one and a half years of evaluating the seedlingsthat resulted from said cross, the new cultivar was first noted for itsunique foliage variegation and was subsequently isolated for furtherevaluation in order to confirm the distinctness and stability of thecharacteristics first observed. After approximately twenty years ofevaluation, the new Spathiphyllum plant was selected forcommercialization and given the name ‘CORSPAVAR2’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘CORSPAVAR2’ was firstaccomplished by way of vegetative division was first performed in theautumn of 2001 at a commercial greenhouse in Melsen-Merelbeke, Belgium,and later by meristematic tissue culture micropropagation. Numeroussuccessive generations so produced have shown that the unique featuresof the instant cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘CORSPAVAR2’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length,and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. Thefollowing characteristics have. been repeatedly observed and representthe distinguishing characteristics of the new Spathiphyllum cultivar‘CORSPAVAR2’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘CORSPAVAR2’ asa new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Spathiphyllum ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits a compact growth habit,        with an abundance of narrow-elliptic foliage with moderately        undulated leaf margins; and    -   2. Spathiphyllum ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits glossy, dark green        foliage that is irregularly flecked with light greyed-green in a        pinnate pattern; and    -   3. Spathiphyllum ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits white spathes held above        the foliage.    -   4. Spathiphyllum ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits spathes that become        progressively suffused with yellow-green, creating an irregular        pinnate pattern similar to that of the foliage, with age.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage and growthcharacteristics of the new cultivar, ‘CORSPAVAR2’. The plant shown isapproximately 8 months old from a rooted cutting, potted into a 15 cmnursery pot, grown in a climate-controlled greenhouse in Homestead, Fla.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical mature foliage of‘CORSPAVAR2’.

FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical spathe of‘CORSPAVAR2’.

FIG. 4 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical spathe of‘CORSPAVAR2’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in December of 2021describe 42-week-old ‘CORSPAVAR2’ plants grown in 15 cm nurserycontainers at a commercial greenhouse in Homestead, Fla. The growingsubstrate had an Electrical Conductivity of 1.0 and a pH of 6.5. Plantswere top-dressed with a 18-6-8 fertilizer at 14 grams per container atthe time of planting. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouseproduction protocols for Spathiphyllum which consisted of 30,000 lux oflight exposure, regular overhead irrigation, applications every two tothree days of a complete fertilizer at an Electrical Conductivity levelof 2.0 to 2.5, and an application of gibberellic acid to induceflowering. Ambient temperatures range from 65 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.Chemical pest and disease control measures were taken as needed. Nophotoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘CORSPAVAR2’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such measurements are approximations or averages setforth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, Sixth Edition.

A botanical description of ‘CORSPAVAR2’ and comparisons with the parentand the most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Clump forming; broad spreading to upright with            foliage arising directly from the base of each clump.        -   Plant profile.—Broad obovate with inflorescences carried            within and slightly above the foliage.        -   Height.—49.0 cm in height, to the highest leaf; 60.0 cm to            top of highest spathe.        -   Width.—Average 76.5 cm in width.        -   Growth Rate.—Moderately fast growing.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately to highly vigorous.        -   Propagation.—Method — Meristematic tissue culture. Time to            initiate roots — Approximately 28 days to initiate roots at            approximately 21 degrees Centigrade. Crop time —            Approximately 32 weeks to produce a well-rooted 15 cm            container from a rooted cutting.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Moderately high tolerance to rain            and wind; tolerant of temperatures ranging from 5 to 40            degrees Celsius. Cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 10.        -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Plants have not been            observed to be any more or less susceptible or resistant to            pathogens and pests common to Spathiphyllum.-   Root system: Moderately fibrous, not fleshy; moderately dense.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching characteristics.—Clumping plant with leaves            emerging directly from the base of the plant; no lateral            branching.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; equitant.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Quantity of leaves per shoot.—Most mature shoot with 15            leaves; 11 on average.        -   Quantity of shoots per plant.—Average of 6 mature shoots.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Approximately 60 to 70.        -   Lamina.—Shape — Narrowly elliptic. Apex — Apiculate. Base —            Attenuate. Aspect — Slightly carinate and slightly reflexed;            leaves occasionally exhibit a slight to moderate axial            twist. Attitude — Petioles nearest to the center of the            plant are upright to near vertical and become progressively            more relaxed towards the outer foliage; geniculum bends to            an approximate angle of 30 to 50 degrees to the petiole            which, as a result, orients the lamina in a nearly            horizontal plane. Dimensions — 27.0 cm long and 7.0 cm wide,            on average. Margin — Entire; moderately coarsely undulate.            Texture and luster, adaxial surface — Smooth and glabrous;            glossy. Texture and luster, abaxial surface — Smooth and            glabrous; moderately glossy. Juvenile color, adaxial surface            — Green, nearest to RHS 137C, and becoming progressively            more suffused with yellow-green towards the base, RHS 144C;            irregularly flecked with light green, nearest to in between            RHS 138C and 138D, in a somewhat-pinnate pattern. Juvenile            color, abaxial surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS            138A and 138B; irregularly flecked with light green, nearest            to RHS 138D, in a somewhat-pinnate pattern. Mature color,            adaxial surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS 137A and            139A; irregularly flecked with light greyed-green, nearest            to RHS 195D, in a somewhat-pinnate pattern. Mature color,            abaxial surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS 138A and            138B; irregularly flecked with light greyed-green, nearest            to RHS 196C, in a somewhat-pinnate pattern. Venation — Vein            pattern — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface — Green,            nearest to RHS 138A. Vein color, abaxial surface — Nearest            to in between green and yellow-green, RHS 138A and 144A.        -   Petiole, excluding geniculum.—Aspect — Ovoid at the base and            becoming near-terete at the geniculum. Length — 21.3 cm, on            average; longest observed petiole is 28.5 cm. Width —            Approximately 0.35 cm at the geniculum and 0.55 cm wide and            0.75 cm deep at the base. Color, adaxial surface — Green,            nearest to RHS 137B. Color, abaxial surface — Green, nearest            to RHS 137B. Texture and luster — Smooth, glabrous, and            matte. Strength — Strong. Geniculum — Length — 4.2 cm, on            average. Width — 0.35 cm, on average; ranging from 0.3 to            0.55 cm. Texture and Luster — Smooth, glabrous and matte.            Color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 138A. Color,            abaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137C. Petiole wings            — Length — Approximately 33.0 cm. Width — Approximately            1.3 cm. Color — Green, nearest to in between RHS 137A and            139A; irregularly flecked with light greyed-green, nearest            to RHS 195D, in a somewhat-pinnate pattern.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Spathe.        -   Arrangement.—Peduncles arise directly from the base of the            plant with spathes carried above the foliar plane.        -   Attitude.—Near vertical.        -   Dimensions.—11.4 cm long, excluding the peduncle, and 5.15            cm wide; spathe is 2.1 cm deep.        -   Flowering habit.—Continuous.        -   Natural flowering season.—Spring and autumn in the norther            hemisphere, with occasional flowering in summer.        -   Time to flowering.—24 weeks from planting.        -   Fragrance.—Faint, sweet and pleasant (typical Spathiphyllum            scent).        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Persistent.        -   Flower longevity.—Flowers stay in good condition            approximately 3 weeks on the plant.        -   Peduncle.—Attitude — Near vertical. Length — 54.4 cm.            Diameter — 0.5 cm. Strength — Strong. Texture and luster —            Smooth, glabrous and matte. Color — Nearest to in between            green and yellow-green, RHS 138B and 144A.-   Spathe:    -   -   Attitude.—Near vertical.        -   Aspect.—Slightly to moderately conclave.        -   Length.—Approximately 18.6 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 6.6 cm.        -   Depth.—4.3 cm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic to ovate.        -   Margin.—Entire; slightly coarsely undulate.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Long attenuate.        -   Texture, inner and outer surfaces.—Glabrous, slightly            coriaceous.        -   Luster, inner and outer surfaces.—Inner surface is            moderately glossy; outer surface is glossy.        -   Color.—Inner surface, when opening — White, nearest to RHS            155C, and tipped yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A. Outer            surface, when opening — White, nearest to RHS NN155C, and            tipped yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A; main vein is            yellow-green, RHS 144C. Inner surface, at maturity — White,            nearest to RHS NN155D, and tipped yellow-green, nearest to.            RHS 145A; main vein is green-white, nearest to RHS 157C. As            spathes age, they become progressively suffused with            yellow-green, creating an irregular pinnate pattern similar            to that of the foliage, nearest to in between RHS 144B and            144C. Outer surface, at maturity — White, nearest to RHS            NN155D, and tipped yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A; main            vein is yellow-green, RHS 144C. As spathes age, they become            progressively suffused with yellow-green, creating an            irregular pinnate pattern similar to that of the foliage,            nearest to in between RHS 144B and 144C.-   Spadix:    -   -   Attitude.—At an average angle of 25 degrees to the peduncle.        -   Shape.—Oblong, columnar.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Length.—Approximately 6.2 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.25 cm.        -   Color.—When opening — Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 160C.            Mature — Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 160D, and becoming            green, RHS 141A, with age.        -   Flowers.—General — Flowers are. greatly diminished, to the            point of being largely indistinguishable and immeasurable.            Quantity of flowers per spadix — Approximately 150.            Arrangement — Spirally placed on spadix. Shape — Rounded.            Diameter — Approximately 0.4 cm. Height — Approximately 0.2            cm.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   General.—Reproductive organs are greatly diminished, to the            point of being largely indistinguishable and immeasurable.        -   Anthers.—Not observed.        -   Stigma.—Quantity — 1. Shape — Conical. Dimensions — 0.2 cm            tall and 0.2 cm in diameter. Color — Greyed-yellow, nearest            to RHS 160D.-   Seed and fruit: Seed production has not been observed.-   Comparisons with the parent: Plants of the new cultivar ‘CORSPAVAR2’    may be distinguished from the seed parent, Spathiphyllum sp.    ‘Domino’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,944), by the following combination    of characteristics:    -   1. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits a foliage color that is darker green        when compared to the foliage color of ‘Domino’.    -   2. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits more prominent foliage variegation        relative to ‘Domino’, with a greater occurrence of the light        greyed-green flecking.    -   3. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits a slower rate of growth, relative to        ‘Domino’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CORSPAVAR2’ may be distinguished from thepollen parent, Spathiphyllum sp. ‘Alfa CD’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,823),by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits smaller, narrower foliage relative to        ‘Alfa CD’.    -   2. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits dark green foliage with light        greyed-green flecking in an irregularly pinnate pattern, whereas        the foliage of ‘Alfa CD’ is solid green.    -   3. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits white spathes which become        progressively suffused with yellow-green as they age, creating a        variegation pattern similar to that of the foliage, whereas the        spathes of ‘Alfa CD’ remain white as they age.    -   4. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits a slower rate of growth, relative to        ‘Alfa CD’.

-   Comparisons with the most similar variety of common knowledge:

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CORSPAVAR2’ may be distinguished from thecommercial variety Spathiphyllum sp. ‘Corspabont’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.14,151) by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Corspabont’ exhibits more prominent foliage variegation        relative to ‘CORSPAVAR2’, with a greater occurrence of the light        greyed-green flecking.    -   2. ‘CORSPAVAR2’ exhibits a slower rate of growth, relative to        ‘Corspabont’.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Spathiphyllumplant named ‘CORSPAVAR2’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.